Paediatric emergencies: lead poisoning: practice question

A Pediatrics question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Pediatrics · Paediatric emergencies: lead poisoning

Sample item

A 3-year-old with pica, abdominal colic, constipation and anaemia has basophilic stippling on the smear and lead lines at the metaphyses. Blood lead level is 55 mcg/dL. Which drug is used orally for chelation?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Succimer (DMSA)

Lead poisoning gives basophilic stippling, anaemia, metaphyseal lead lines and neuro-cognitive impairment. Succimer is the oral chelator of choice for moderate levels, with calcium EDTA and dimercaprol for severe levels.

Option by option

  • A. Pralidoxime

    Pralidoxime reactivates cholinesterase.

  • B. Succimer (DMSA) (correct)

    Correct. Succimer is the oral lead chelator.

  • C. Atropine

    Atropine treats anticholinesterase poisoning.

  • D. Desferrioxamine

    Desferrioxamine chelates iron.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Pediatrics question

What is the answer to this Pediatrics question?

The best answer is B, Succimer (DMSA). Lead poisoning gives basophilic stippling, anaemia, metaphyseal lead lines and neuro-cognitive impairment.

Why is "Pralidoxime" not the answer?

Pralidoxime reactivates cholinesterase.

Why is "Atropine" not the answer?

Atropine treats anticholinesterase poisoning.

Why is "Desferrioxamine" not the answer?

Desferrioxamine chelates iron.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Paediatric emergencies: lead poisoning in Pediatrics. Succimer is the oral chelator of choice for moderate levels, with calcium EDTA and dimercaprol for severe levels.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Paediatric emergencies: lead poisoning?

Memorise milestones and the vaccine schedule as tables and revise them often. Then use the flashcards and the other Pediatrics questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.